MOUNTAIN BIKE PRESS

Looking back on a series of superb racing and fantastic results seen from multitude of XCO and DHI stars, the final rounds of the 2015 SA MTB XCO and DHI Cup will definitely be one for the books at Cascades MTB Park, Pietermaritzburg from 27-28 June. Entries for both events close at midnight tonight (Tuesday 23 June).

The Cascades MTB Park, which has never failed to host world class events, will again play host to the last national MTB cup for the year. The spectator-friendly venue will put on display much of what KwaZulu-Natal has to offer in terms of great family fun. Sections of both the XCO and DHI courses are visible to the friends and families of those competing, and the Cascades Shopping Centre, right next door, provides a quick lunch, coffee, or even retail therapy break for those wishing to grab a bite or shop around.

The XCO event on Saturday will see one of the closest and most exciting finales in SA MTB Cup history, with very close points at the top of the log. The track will include many of the Cascades MTB Park XCO famous sections, such as Tree House and Red Lipped Herald – to name a few.

The DHI course will be a modified version of the 2013 Elite World Championships track, however, slightly shorter, beginning at the Wet Weather Start section. DHI riders are to take note that the track will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday for maintenance and inspection by the Chief Commissaire, but will be open again on Friday 26 June for official practice. For Friday and Saturday’s practice, riders will need to stop and exercise caution before the last jump after the Money Maker section, in order to accommodate the XCO riders on the track. Practice on Sunday, however, will see the full course open.

Cycling SA and KZN MTB Commissaire, Morne Odendaal says that, although familiar, the track won’t necessarily be an easy one. “Very dry and dusty conditions still persist and certain sections of the track are becoming very tricky with ruts and holes deepening due to all the amount of riders using it,” she said. In the same breath, Odendaal also mentioned that the organisers are also hoping that there isn’t too much rain forecast for the weekend ahead.

Cycling South Africa

Cycling South Africa is the governing body of cycling in South Africa and is a member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). It is affiliated to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) as well as the Department of Sport & Recreation. Cycling South Africa regulates the five major disciplines within the sport, both amateur and professional, which include: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking, BMX Biking, Track Cycling and Para-Cycling. Cycling South Africa’s “2020 Vision” strategy, to cater for both the elite cyclist as well as the everyday two- and three-wheel lovers, contributes to the organisation being a dynamic, successful and highly respected governing body of cycling, at both National and International level. Cycling South Africa is committed to transformation and development of the sport and making it accessible to all via its development programmes.